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Does Birth and Death Affect Us?
The path of perfect understanding begins with deep insight into the emptiness of all phenomena: the five skandhas are empty, form is emptiness, emptiness is form, and the same is true for feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness. All dharmas are neither born nor do they die, neither increase nor decrease. With this understanding, the Bodhisattva encounters no obstacles, transcends fear, attains Nirvana, and the Buddhas realize enlightenment. The mantra of the Prajñāpāramitā:
Gate gate pāragate pārasaṃgate bodhi svāhā
All phenomena are merely manifestations of consciousness, without a fixed self-nature. Two characteristics are distinguished:
- Imputed nature: existence that is not real, lacking true self-nature, but appears as if it exists
- Perfected nature: the complete absence of the notion of true self-nature within the realm of dependent origination
The principle of interdependent co-arising is demonstrated by modern science through the electron and photon, which are not fixed matter, but are indeterminate and mutually dependent. Understanding this, we let go of imputed notions, live mindfully in the present moment, our mind becomes light and free, opening the path of joyful liberation.